7 PROBE men to pay for truck repair

CEBU, Philippines - As consequence, seven members of the Cebu City Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement team are ordered to pay the damaged government truck after it was used to destroy a concrete wall during a demolition operation Wednesday along Tres de Abril Street.

A video of the demolition uploaded on Facebook by The Freeman intern John Walt Bordario prompted PROBE chief Raquel Arce to reprimand his “irresponsible” staff and asked them to pay for the repair of the damage worth over P10,000 within the week.

 “Tinunto ug wala’y common sense gyod ato nga pagkatrabaho. It happened for the first time and I cannot tolerate such work attitude,” she said.

Arce, however, said she will help them pay the damage.

“Tinuod nga sad-an sila but we can’t leave them behind. Di ko kabiya sa akong mga tawo sa oras sa ilang panginahanglan,” she said.

She clarified that only the step board at the back of the truck was damaged and not the entire government vehicle.

She said the truck has been used for heavy operations for 14 years and it would sometime conk out due to its deteriorating condition.

In the video, PROBE workers are seen demolishing a concrete wall using the rear bumper of the service vehicle.

The barangay requested for the demolition of the wall of an abandoned structure because it was encroaching on the sidewalk.

 Based on her investigation, Arce said, PROBE team used the rear end of the truck to tear down the concrete wall.

“Mano-mano man to nga trabaho, naguba na tanan except sa usa kahaligi nga dunay beam sa babaw. To avoid falling the portion of the structure sa ila and madaganan ang sakyanan ila tong gibuhat with everyone’s consent including the assigned team leader,” she explained.

Arce, though, said her staff went beyond their demolition practices.

If repeated, the PROBE chief will recommend for the suspension and/or termination of the workers.

“I am hoping nga dili na gyod ni ma-usab kay have no choice but to terminate or suspend them. Mao nga I advised them to take responsibility every time dunay operation. Dapat handle with care and equipment and vehicle as if ilaha,” she said.  (FREEMAN)